Anthem Global Mission Update – October 2018

The Andre Family – Nairobi, Kenya

Things to pray for this month:

For the friends and family we were able to reconnect with while we were back in the States! Seriously, we feel so loved and supported by so many people!

For staying healthy with our crazy schedule – we were literally all over the place, seeing so many people and somehow we’ve all stayed healthy (minus Zuri’s broken arm…)

For surviving the long journey here with three kids. God is so good!

Join us in asking Him:

For the remaining funds needed to send our kids to their new school. God’s got this. Pray that we can simply trust him in that.

Our full monthly updates are available via email. Please just reach out and we’ll add you to our list. You’ll get more in-depth insight into our journey. Thank you for praying and partnering with us in this ministry!

Jordan & Kristin Andre

For more information on the Andres including ways you can partner with them or receive personal updates, please visit andresinafrica.com.

The “S” Family – Asia

This month we are so thankful for…

Deeper friendships and a better sense of community

Our 1st Ind0nesian DBS training

Ivy’s new dance class filled with lots of eager students. Ivy is using her gift & knowledge of dance to create friendships & disciple them through prayer & thanksgiving time at the end of each class. She plans to organize a recital in December for the students to showcase what they’ve learned.

Language study is still progressing well

Please join us in asking our Father for…

A good, free location where we can hold the dance recital, and for a house in Bali that has enough space for Ivy to continue with the dance ministry

For J to be known and loved in this country, and for people to feel His freedom, love, and compassion.

Continued language study for our entire family, that we may fully understand and know this language and culture.

Jason’s mom passed away. Please pray for us as we grieve this loss. Jason made a quick trip back to Indiana in September for the memorial service.

1 Chronicles 16:34 “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

For security reasons, personal information about this family is not directly available here. For more information on the “S Family” including ways you can partner with them or receive personal updates, please contact Gary and Margo at iamaneslteacher@gmail.com.

The “J” Family – Middle East

While our kids, along with many kids from the neighborhood, were biking and rollerblading in an empty parking lot. I saw a middle-aged man watching our kids with a kind demeanor. As I was speaking to one of my daughters, I saw him approach our youngest son, say something to him with a grin, and pat him on the head. Shortly after this, he walked toward me and asked where we were from. I learned that he was of Palestinian descent but moved here from Syria.

He was intrigued that we would move to this country from our home country. I told him that I am an English teacher, but because I follow Jesus, He led me to come here to serve others. He described how he was taught that Jesus did not die on the cross, but that God provided a substitute to die in His place. He followed with, “Is that what you believe?” His question seemed so sincere, as though coming from a heart of good soil.

I explained that the greatest hope of my faith was that Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, died in order to forgive the sins of the world. (Two weeks ago, our city was filled with sacrificed animals, based on God providing a substitute sacrifice for Abraham. So, they really get this concept.) If he didn’t die, I’m still a guilty sinner, with no hope of heaven. If He did die, our sins have been fully paid for, and we have peace with God, followed by the absolute assurance of eternal life with Him. What’s more, his resurrection from the dead was God’s stamp of approval, confirming that everything that Jesus said was true.

He listened, with what looked like hope mixed with joy. Often conversations like this are filled with indifference, objections, or end in a debate. This was so different. Please join me in praying that the Holy Spirit would breathe revelation life upon his heart and that he would discover the righteousness that is by faith in Jesus Christ.

We cherish you, your encouragement, and prayers!

For security reasons, personal information about this family is not directly available here. For more information on the “J Family” including ways you can partner with them or receive personal updates, please contact Jed and Jaime at jedbenoit@gmail.com.

Emily Johnson – Italy

Dear Anthem, I am so encouraged to be part of this community of believers. It is truly an honor and a privilege to get to share this ministry with you. I am looking forward to sharing more in the future, as together we trust God for many more Italians to understand who Jesus is and His love for them.

In July I completed the last of my ministry training. It was a five-week cross-cultural ministry training and I learned so much. I am now focused completely on sharing the vision of ministry in Italy with individuals and small groups. Before I leave for Italy, I am trusting God to fill the few remaining spots on my ministry partner team. God has provided 83% of my monthly support. In the coming weeks when I reach 90% of my goal, I will be able to schedule an appointment for my visa application at the Italian Consulate in San Francisco. It’s my goal to return to Florence, Italy before January. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

For more information on Emily Johnson, including ways you can partner with her or receive personal updates, please contact Emily at emily.johnson@cru.org.

India

Spiritual fruit continues to be produced in almost every service throughout the region, with many baptisms being scheduled. Continue to pray for God’s truth to bear fruit.

The Annual Meeting was recently held in Murshidabad, a Muslim village, during the time of the big Hindu festival. Muslims are not subject to persecution as are Christians; therefore it was “safer” to gather there. About 100 participants, pastors, and evangelists traveled to attend.

D.K. Sarkar, the ministry director, is making tentative plans to retire from this position at the end of 2019. EFM has approved a first step for the staff and board to meet in December 2018 to nominate three (3) names for consideration. After much prayer, a secret ballot will be taken to determine the choice and this person will serve as DK’s assistant during the year 2019.

For Emmanuel Hostel, inflationary factors continue to negatively impact the budget for food supplies. The Anthem budget is set for the year and this is putting pressure on all concerned. Please pray as we work through solutions to be a blessing to them.

Andres: Praise God - For the money that came in towards our plane tickets to get back to Coeur d'Alene this summer! Literally, what was so generously given was EXACTLY what we needed! We are also so grateful for this new house that is becoming a home. It's so close to where Jordan works, so close to where the kids will be going to school, and so close to where we gather with our church on Sundays! We truly could not ask for more!

We are almost halfway through the month of Ramadan, which is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting and prayer to commemorate what they believe was the first revelation of their “holy book” to the Prophet Muhammad. During this “holy month”, followers typically wake up at about 2:30 or 3 a.m.

A couple weeks ago we were discussing the topic of forgiveness. Keyvan, a man there, was showing signs of extreme discomfort and conviction. He kept looking down at the table and shaking his head. He finally said there is someone he knows that he just can't forgive. When he said that, the Holy Spirit clearly said to me, "Ask him if he can't forgive, or if he doesn't want to forgive?"